VIVIENNEFuck! I don’t know how to swim! My mind raced as I thrashed helplessly in the water. Not only that. I think I fell at the deepest part of the pool. My feet couldn’t reach the floor and it was making me even more anxious. Every second felt like an eternity. The more I struggled, the more I felt myself sinking. Panic surged through me, making it hard to breathe. I could hear muffled screams and shouts from the poolside, but they felt distant and unreal. My thoughts were a chaotic mess, cursing myself for never learning to swim and fearing I wouldn’t make it out. “Vivienne!”"Help her!""Someone get Viatrix!"I flailed, trying to stay afloat, but the water seemed to be pulling me under. Suddenly, I heard the sound of splashes growing closer. Before I could fully register what was happening, I felt strong hands grab my waist, lifting me up.I clung desperately to the one who saved me with my arms wrapping tightly around his neck. The terror slowly started to fade away as I fe
EZEKIELI saw everything unfold in what felt like slow motion. And it was fucking irritating to me that I knew from the start, Albert would cause no good yet I didn’t do anything about that earlier. I saw it. I saw how Albert calculated his steps. I saw the way that motherfucking asshole purposely bumped into Vivienne, causing her to lose her balance and fall into the pool. My heart pounded as I watched Vivienne struggle in the water earlier. So, without a second thought, I dove in, reaching her just in time. The relief of feeling her cling to me, knowing she was safe, was overwhelming.But now, as she stood there, accepting Jeremy's help, my frustration boiled over. I was worried sick for her, and seeing her in that situation, helpless and vulnerable, ignited something protective and fierce within me. After the commotion died down, I couldn't stand by any longer. I need to Alex. I have a feeling that she knows something that I don’t. "Alex, we need to talk," I said, my voice low
AT THE LANCASTER Paris Hotel, Vera and Vince were practically bouncing with excitement. They had just arrived with their grandfather, Ronaldo Lancaster. Vera, in particular, was eager to see her mother. She clutched a small piece of paper in her hand, decorated with gold stars from dance school.“Grandpa, I really want to show Mom my stars! Like right now!” Vera exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with pride.Ronaldo, who always had a soft spot for his grandchildren, smiled warmly. “Of course, sweetheart. Let's go find your mom,” he said to his grandchild while holding each one of their hands. Without hesitation, Ronaldo decided to take them to where Vivienne was. After all, he owned the hotel, and nothing was off-limits to him or his beloved grandchildren.As they made their way through the grand lobby, Vera couldn't contain her excitement any longer. “Let’s play, Vince! Whoever finds Mom first, gets to decide what to eat for dinner!” she called out, darting off down the corridor. “I s
IN A QUIET corner of The Lancaster Paris Hotel, Alex found Albert and immediately confronted him. Her face was flushed with anger and her eyes were blazing especially after what Ezekiel said to her earlier. Alex's mind raced. This was not what she had planned. She only wanted Vivienne out of their lives. But now, everything was a mess. Albert messed up and now, Ezekiel was mad at her. She never thought it would turn out like this."What were you thinking, Albert? Your actions were so obvious! You made us fail in our plans!" she hissed, her voice low but filled with fury.Albert looked down, guilt written all over his face. "I... I thought it would work, Alex. I'm sorry.""Sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it!" Alex spat. "You’re useless! I never should have asked for your help in the first place."Albert's face crumpled, and he took a step towards her. "Please, Alex, don’t be mad. I didn't mean to mess things up," he pleaded, his voice trembling.Alex turned on her heel, ready to leave him
VIVIENNE"I had no idea you are the mom Vera has been talking about." Ezekiel looked at me, his eyes softening. I had no idea you’d been talking to her either. I felt the urge to say that but I stopped myself. My cheeks warmed, and I didn't know how to respond to that. I turned to Vera instead."Sweetie, where’s your brother? Do you know where he is?" I asked. Vera looked up at me, a bit worried. "I don't know where Vince is, Mom. We played a game, and whoever found you first would win,” she said. "Alright, we need to find Vince."This would be a perfect opportunity to leave Ezekiel too. So finally, I turned to Ezekiel to say goodbye. “Uh… we’ll go find my son for a moment.”But then, as the dumb person that he was, he didn’t take the hint. Instead, he even offered, "I'll help you look for him."I shook my head immediately. "It's okay, Ezekiel. We can manage,” I said while silently praying for him to give up. But he insisted, his voice firm. "No, I want to help. Let's find
THE GUESTS WHISPERED among themselves, the atmosphere thick with shock and disbelief. Alex's grand party had turned into a scandal. Designers and attendees murmured their opinions, their once-enthusiastic conversations now replaced by disapproval and concern.Aton shook his head in disappointment. "I can't believe an adult like Alex would hurt a child. It's disgraceful,” he said. Others nodded in agreement, siding with Vivienne. "She did the right thing," one guest said. "No one should tolerate such behavior."Ezekiel, witnessing all of these, approached Alex. Alex was standing alone in the corner, clearly shaken by the events. "Come on, I'll drive you home," he said quietly. She nodded, unable to meet his eyes, and they walked out of the hotel together.As they left, the guests continued to discuss the incident, their sympathy firmly with Vivienne and her family. The party, intended to be a glamorous event, had ended in an unexpected and dramatic twist, with Alex's reputation se
VIVIENNEWhen we got home, the kids settled into the living room while I tried to process everything that happened.The whole party scene made the news, which must have been so embarrassing for Alex. Somehow, it was also embarrassing for me but I didn’t let it get on my nerves. I shouldn’t give a fuck. Yeah. I shouldn’t even after Ezekiel saw what I did to his girlfriend. Even after the other designers were watching. I sat on the couch, and Vera climbed up beside me, looking at me with wide, curious eyes.Vince was already in his room. As much as I wanted to check on him, he wanted to be alone. And my heart couldn’t help but ache as I imagined the trauma that Alex gave him. That bitch still infuriated me whenever I thought of her! "Mom, why did you slap Alex?" Vera asked innocently. Somehow, bitterness crept within me. I didn’t care who saw me snapped earlier but my kids? I knew I shouldn’t have shown them that side of mine. I sighed, trying to find the right words. "Sweetie, I d
EZEKIELAs soon as I dropped Alex off at her house, I couldn't shake the thoughts running through my mind. I drove aimlessly, trying to piece everything together. The familiarity I felt for Vera and Vince ever since I first met them kept nagging at me. Could it only be because they looked so much like Vivienne, or was there something deeper behind it?I remembered a moment with Vera, how she casually mentioned that their mother was taking care of them all by herself. “Can you be our Dad, Mr. Handsome? Do you want to be my Dad?” I remembered what Vera had asked me before. “Well, Vera, I’d love to meet your mom first. Where is she?” “She’s working. She takes care of my brother and me all by herself. She’s really nice, kind, and she’s pretty just like me.”The thought struck me hard. Vivienne, handling everything on her own, raising two kids without any support. Where was supposed to be the father of her kids? Then another memory surfaced—Vivienne agreeing to go on dates with Jeremy